New York Titans top Minnesota Swarm to reach Eastern finals

May 4th, 2008 by Lauren Ward

With less than six minutes remaining in regulation and the score deadlocked 8-8, the New York Titans needed something potent to propel them over the Minnesota Swarm and into their first ever Eastern Division finals. Enter: Casey Powell.

Powell’s third goal of the game came at 10:40 in the fourth to take the 9-8 lead, and just over a minute and a half later he struck again to make it 10-8. Pat Maddalena added an insurance goal twenty seconds later, finalizing the Titans’ 11-8 win over the Swarm.

Matt Vinc stopped 37 of 45, including nine in the fourth quarter, while Jarret Park picked up 10 looseballs and Patrick Merrill and the defense policed the crease. Powell finished the game with four goals and three assists, Maddalena had two and four, and Ryan Boyle chipped in with five assists.

The Minnesota Swarm, who were playing in front of over 11,000 fans at the Xcel Energy Center, were led by Andy Secore with three goals and three assists, Sean Pollock with two and one, and Chad Culp with five helpers. Nick Patterson made 33 saves in the loss.

The New York Titans will travel to Buffalo next Saturday to face the Bandits, 7:30 PM EST at the HSBC.